Are you an advanced swimmer and interested in sharing your gifts with the community? You can apply to join Milwaukee Recreation's team today!
Milwaukee Recreation has a variety of part-time positions available throughout the department, including in our aquatics program area. Apply today to become a lifeguard, coach one of our youth teams, or instruct any of courses.
Have questions? Our aquatics staff is here to support and guide you through the application and certification (if needed) process! Contact 414-647-6075 or email: Denzel [at] mkerec.net. (When emailing our staff, please replace the "[at]" with a traditional "@" symbol. Ex: Staff@mkerec.net)
Lifeguards
Lifeguards are responsible for providing a safe and fun environment for all patrons by remaining vigilant and enforcing all pool rules fairly and consistently. Staff may also be asked to assist instructors during lessons so long as they remain within the pool area and do not deter from maintaining surveillance of patrons in the facility.
Starting Pay: $16-$17 per hour
- Working hours can be scheduled around school hours and extracurricular activities.
- Opportunities for raises, further training, and advancement.
- Milwaukee Recreation has highly competitive rates for lifeguards compared to others in the area.
Training for Certification
Lifeguard training costs vary depending on if you are a resident or non-resident. If cost is a barrier, please reach out to our staff!
Skills to be tested:
- Swim 300 yards (breast stroke and/or front crawl without flip turns).
- Tread water without using your hands for two minutes.
- Retrieve and return a 10-pound brick from the bottom of a pool in 100 seconds (time ends when trainee and brick are out of the water).
Please note: training costs are reimbursed if the pre-test is not passed.
Swim Instructors
Swim instructors are responsible for providing a safe and friendly aquatics learning experience for students of all ages and abilities. Instructors should maintain a positive and responsible demeanor at all times, and creatively engage students to share a passion for water. Milwaukee Recreation is a proud authorized provider for the American Red Cross (ARC), and the ARC Learn to Swim program is the national curriculum used for lessons.
Starting Pay: $17-$18 per hour
- Opportunities exist for raises, further training, and advancement.
- Working hours can be scheduled around school hours and extracurricular activities.
Training for Certification
If you are interested in becoming a water safety instructor, you can register for the training here. The course costs $160 for city of Milwaukee residents ($240 for non-residents), but it is completely free if you commit to working as a swim instructor with Milwaukee Recreation.
To be eligible for the course, candidates must:
- Attend a pre-course session to demonstrate swimming competency in six strokes: Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Breaststroke, Sidestroke, Elementary Backstroke and Butterfly. 25 yards of each stroke to be demonstrated.
- The pre-course session is approximately one hour. If this pre-course session does not fit your schedule, an alternate day and time can be arranged by appointment. If you do not successfully complete the pretest, you will be issued a FULL REFUND.
Blended Learning Option:
- Complete up to nine hours of online learning before the first in-water course date. Provide proof of completion with either a screen shot or a printed certificate.
- All three course dates are mandatory without exception.
Instructor-Led Learning Option:
- Complete two hours of online learning before the last class session.
- Attend all in-person class sessions.
The type of course offered may change season to season. Please see the registration description for details.
Swim Coaches
Swim coaches are responsible for providing a safe and friendly competitive swim experience for age-group swimmers, ranging from novice to advanced ability levels. Coaches should maintain a positive and responsible demeanor at all times, and challenge swimmers to reach new goals in the water.
Starting Pay: $16 per hour (youth) / $17 per hour (adult)